Involuntary Submission
Chapter Two
Draco's Unknown Spell
After leaving Mystery in Dotty's care, Draco had left to go to work. Currently, he was giving Auror Jennet more parchment. She took the parchment and nodded once in thank you. Draco nodded back and left to go get Auror Carlson ink. Lesley Carlson was very clumsy, worse off than Neville use to be. Draco can't even fathom how Carlson got in the Auror Program and not him.
He entered the supply room and grabbed a bottle of cheap ink, Carlson wasn't allowed to use the good stuff since he always spilt it. Draco also grabbed the eagle feather quills that Granger had wanted. Then, he left the supply room.
He dropped the ink off at Carlson's office and went to find Granger's. He had never been to her office. She hadn't ever asked for anything from him, obviously not trusting him in the least bit. But she must be on a really hard case if she wants him to get her anything.
He knocked once on her door. Draco heard a weary sounding voice call, "Come in."
He opened the door and stepped in to the office. "I have your eagle feather quills, Granger."
She looked up at him. Her hair was frizzier than usual. Her brown eyes had bags under them, and her outfit didn't match at all, which was oddly surprising to Draco. She usually had at least some fashion sense. Today… she had none.
"Set them here." she gestured to her desk, her eyes returning to her work. Draco felt a chill wash over his upper torso, his arms and back more specifically, and his body did as told. The blonde was a bit bewildered by the chilly feeling he had, but he brushed it off as her office just being cold.
Draco didn't leave immediately. He hesitated before asking, "Are you alright?"
Granger looked up at him surprised. "Oh. I didn't realize you were still here, Malfoy. But yes. I am perfectly fine. Don't worry about me."
The chill happened again. This time he felt it in his mind. His mind relaxed, and all anxieties about Granger floated away. Draco found himself nodding and saying, "I won't."
She weakly glared at him. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
Draco shrugged. "It's just… odd. I never bring you things. I just thought maybe something was wrong because this is the first time I have gotten anything for you."
Granger's brown eyes softened, and she said, "It's not that I don't need you to get anything for me, but that's like making the house elves work for nothing. Though you are paid…" she said more to herself.
"Not much." Draco mutter under his breath bitterly. Granger nodded at his comment. "Yeah. They don't pay you much. That's why I don't find it right to make you fetch all this ink and parchment and quills that I could easily fetch myself."
Draco saw Granger through a new light. She wasn't half bad for a mudblood. "You know, Granger… You aren't half bad for a mudblood- I mean muggle born." Draco corrected himself quickly. He didn't want to offend her.
Granger smiled at him. "Thank you, Malfoy. I can see that you've changed."
Draco smiled but said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I am a Malfoy. Malfoy's don't change."
Ganger couldn't help but laugh softly. "Some do." she said with a smile that lit up not just her face but her also voice. Draco couldn't help but smile back.
"Why don't you come to dinner with me? I'd like to get to know you, Malfoy." Granger said. Draco thought about it for a moment. Then he spoke quietly, "Won't it look bad if you are seen with me, a former Deatheater?"
"Nonsense! I don't care what others think of me. They aren't my family nor my friends. They can just go home." Granger stated simply. Draco finally gave in. "Alright. Where?"
Her face lit up with a smug smile. "Meet me at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade at seven. I know a restaurant near there. It's new."
Draco felt the chilly magic run through him again. It washed over his whole being. He really needed to speak to someone about this.
Potter. His heart chimed in. Scowling inwardly, Draco denied his heart. He'd just tell Granger tonight.
"Alright."
"You are dismissed then, Malfoy." Granger smiled slightly before returning to her work. Draco nodded, and the cold magic forced his body to leave before he could bid her goodbye.
…)0(…
After getting changed out of his uniform at home, Draco had gone to the Three Broomsticks. It was exactly seven when he had arrived. He wondered if that had something to do with the spell he had been hit with or coincidence.
He only had to wait for a few minutes before Granger arrived. She smiled upon seeing him. "Hello, Draco."
"Hello Granger…" Draco was surprised at hearing his first name come from her mouth. Granger rolled her warm brown eyes with a smile. "You can call me by my given name, Draco."
"Alright… Hermione." Draco tested the name. It was… odd to say the least. But he would get use to it.
Hermione smiled brighter and said, offering her arm for him to link to, "Shall we go then?"
"Yes. I believe we shall." Draco nodded, taking her offered arm. They started on their way to this new restaurant. Hermione led the way with gentle nudges and pushes.
"What is this restaurant, Grang-Hermione?" Draco asked casually after a bit of walking. Hermione smiled at the use of her first name. "Well, it's a restaurant that Luna opened. I've heard it is suppose to be the most unique interior ever created by magic."
Draco nodded. "So, Luna opened a restaurant after the war…" he pondered out loud. "I feel terrible. I never really disliked Luna… She always made me want to smile, thought I could never afford to…"
Hermione gently squeezed his arm. "It's alright. I'm sure she is over it. He war is in the past. Luna is very forgiving. If I can forgive, you surely she can."
Draco abruptly stopped and turned to Hermione, his silver eyes wide. "What?"
"I said-"
"No. I heard you. I just… I don't understand. You… You've forgiven me?" Draco exclaimed, disbelief shining in his eyes. Hermione nodded and said simply. "Yes, Draco. I have."
"Why?" Draco stated, "I've hurt so many people. I cursed Katie Bell. I poisoned Ron. I tried to kill Dumbledore. I brought the Deatheaters into Hogwarts. I nearly used an Unforgivable Curse on Harry."
Hermione's eyes filled with pity. "Draco… I don't believe you did those things because you wanted to. You probably were forced to. Maybe Voldemort-" Draco flinched, "had your parents held captive. I don't know why, but I don't think you would purposefully want to hurt someone."
"You're right…" Draco said quietly, looking down at the snow cover ground. "I didn't have a choice. He did have my parents. He said he would kill them if I didn't kill Dumbledore…"
"See? You were a hero, Draco. Just… no on can see that but me." Hermione smiled sadly, pity still reflecting in her eyes. Draco swallowed thickly. Could she be right? Was he a war hero?
Don't listen to her. his mind started, she's just lying. She hates you. Remember? You called her mudblood. She's probably still mad at you underneath.
Shut up! Don't listen to your mind! Stop thinking, and follow me. his heart pleaded. She can see the good in you.
Shaking his head, Draco looked back at Hermione. She smiled sympathetically at him. She retook his arm. "Let us continue."
A chill of magic washed through his legs as he nodded. "Yes, let's." They set off once more.
…)0(…
Luna had named her restaurant the Lunar Eclipse. And Hermione had been right. The interior was beyond unique, and it was oddly beautiful. The walls shimmered and gleamed with sparkles, thought the walls themselves were a purplish navy color, like the night sky. The ceiling was the same, but a painting of the moon traveled across the 'night sky', which was the ceiling. Once it reached the ended of the ceiling it would disappear and a different stage of the moon started traveling at the other end. The flooring was a deep green to give the illusion of grass, as if you were looking up at the moon in the middle of a field. The tables were circular, and each table had a different stage of the moon on it. Sometimes shooting stars would shoot across the tables and the walls as well. It was all brilliant.
Draco and Hermione were seated almost the moment they requested a table. The table they were seated at, which could seat four, was the new moon stage. They were handed menus, and then left to themselves.
"Have you ever eaten here before, Hermione? Or are we both testing it out together?" Draco asked opening his menu which happened to be shaped like a comet.
"No. I've never been here before. Harry and I were going to try it out together tonight, but he said he might not make it, which usually means that he doesn't feel like coming, and I really wanted to try it tonight. Also, Ron is away, busy with some Auror case." Hermione yapped as she read over her menu, which was shaped like… Draco didn't know what it was. But he could tell it was suppose to be metal.
"So, are you and Weasley together then?"
"Yes." Hermione blushed modestly, "He proposed a few weeks ago actually. So, we are engaged."
Draco looked up from the odd Latin names for the food and nodded. "Congratulations then. And what is that… thing that your menu is shaped as?"
Hermione blinked. "Oh. This. Well… it's a rocket ship."
"A what?"
"Oh yeah… You weren't raised by muggles. I apologize. It's a muggle device for going into outer space." Hermione said, matter-oh-factly. Draco blinked. "Oh…"
A waitress came over to their table. "Hello, I am Jamie Daylight, and I will be your server today. What can I get for you to drink today?"
Draco look at her. She was watching him. Feeling uncomfortable, he discreetly averted his gaze and said, "I will take a glass of the finest white wine you have."
"Alrighty and for you miss?"
"Just a butterbeer. Thank you." Hermione nodded. Jamie smiled and said, "Alright. One butterbeer and one glass of the finest white wine we have coming right up."
She left the two to get their drinks. Draco looked to Hermione after deciding he wanted the Fettuccine Alfredo, it at least it was normal unlike some of the other options. I mean, who in their right mind would eat something called 'Crumple-Horned Snorkack'? It sounded like a disgusting creature that eats children or something.
Hermione looked up at the blonde, smiling slightly, and said, "I must excuse myself to the ladies' room. I will be right back."
"Alright." Draco nodded. Hermione stood up and left the table. The blonde picked up Hermione's menu that had been discard and studied the 'rocket ship'. It was an odd thing. Why would anyone wish to go into outer space? There is no air there. You would suffocate and die. Very unpleasant. Maybe those muggles had death wishes?
"Malfoy?"
The voice that reached Draco's ears was all too familiar and sounded a bit confused. The blonde looked up to find Potter standing by his table. "Potter." the blonde greeted, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"
Potter smiled amusedly and said, "Well, I was comin' here to meet Hermione for dinner. I wasn't entirely sure if I could make it, but I happen too. I'm surprised you are here though. I didn't know you would visit Luna's restaurant."
"Granger is currently in the girls' room, and I happen to be here with her. She invited me." Draco stated, his eyes shown with smug arrogance but his face was void of emotion.
Potter's eyebrows raised. "She invited you to eat dinner with her? I don't believe you."
"Well, believe it, Potter. She did, and I can prove it." Draco rested his chin in his palm, looking at Potter through silver eyes. He felt pretty special. "Just wait till she comes out. She can tell you herself. But feel free to join us, Potter. I have no right to stop you."
The blonde gestured to the free chairs. Then Draco smirked, a challenge in his eyes, as Potter sat in the chair to his right. "Fine. I'll wait here and see. If you are right, then I will stay. If not I will wait for 'Mione to arrive and eat with her away from you."
The blonde simply smirked. He knew he would win.
Now, you can tell Potter as well.
Draco frowned slightly. Leave it to his heart to ruin his good mood. But he swiftly hid the frown behind his mastered Malfoy mask as Potter glanced at him.
The Auror pursed his lips and said, "So, Draco, do you like your job at the Ministry?" Potter scratched behind his ear, "I mean… it's probably a whippin' runnin' back and forth from place to place to retrieve ink, quills and parchment all day."
"It's alright. It's a job." Draco shrugged. The only job I could get.
Potter nodded, but before he could reply as surprised cry of "Harry!" reached the two males' ears. Draco looked from Potter to Hermione and smiled victoriously. "Welcome back, Hermione. Potter here said he was looking for you. He doesn't believe you invited me to dine with you."
Potter's eyes practically bulged out of his head when Draco used Hermione's first name. Draco couldn't help the giddiness he was currently feeling, but he did not let it show. He liked how he could make Potter to react so.
Hermione pursed her lips. "Well… yes. I did invited Draco to dine with me. I'm sorry, Harry. I thought you weren't coming. If it bothers you, we can eat together tomorrow, Harry."
Draco clucked his tongue. "Not so fast, Hermione. Potter, here, has said if I had told the truth he would dine with us." he turned to looked Potter dead in the eye, "I highly doubt the great 'Savior of the Wizarding World' would back down on his word."
As Draco expected, Potter's emerald eyes flashed at the challenge in his voice. Smirking Draco waited for Potter's reaction. Potter responded as he had expected.
"I'm dining with you"
…)0(…
Just as Potter has said that, the waitress came back over with two glasses. Jamie's hazel eyes widened in surprise. "Oh! Harry Potter!" Draco rolled his eyes irritatedly at the waitress. She was completely focused on Harry though and didn't see him, "I am sorry! Have you been here the whole time? I'm so sorry I missed you!"
Harry smiled sheepishly, not liking the attention. "No. I just arrived. No worries."
"Then what can I get you to drink? On the house, of course." Jamie flashed her pearly white teeth at him. Harry shifted uncomfortably. Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Um… just water."
Jamie nodded. "Alrighty. I'll be right back with that water."
Draco felt relief when she finally left. He hated the Savior Worshippers. They were completely mental and utterly stupid. They would jump off cliffs if Potter asked them to.
Hermione cleared her throat before saying, "So, Harry… how are things with Ginny going? I heard last that you two got into a fight."
Draco's interest was piped. He turned his eyes to Potter. The man looked uncomfortable, probably not liking that he had to talk about it with his biggest rival there. The blonde rolled his eyes mental. Grow up, Potter.
Potter scratched his neck before saying, "Well… not well. She still hasn't forgiven me."
"Oh. I'm sorry, Harry." Hermione's eyes shone with sympathy as she placed her hand on top of his. Draco watch her do so before saying, "What did you do then, Potter? Did you call someone else's name while having sex with the Weaselette?"
Hermione pursed her lips. She didn't think this dinner was going to end well.
"Shut it, Malfoy." Potter glared at him from behind his glasses. The cold magic washed through his head and to his mouth, forcing his jaw shut. Draco tried to open his mouth, but he found he could not. Panic shot down his spine.
"But if you must know, Malfoy. Ginny is mad at me because I forgot her birthday." Potter sighed. Hermione's lips thinned into a line. Draco wanted to retort, but he couldn't. Neither Hermione nor Potter seemed to notice Draco's distraught.
Just then, Jamie came back with the water. "Here you go, sir. Are you guys ready to order?"
Hermione nodded. "I am. Harry?"
Potter nodded. "Sure. I'll just have whatever you're havin', 'Mione."
Hermione smiled. She turned back to Jamie and said, "I'll have the Vaccam Cibum cum Viridi Fabam."
"Alrighty, Two Vaccam Cibum cum Viridi Fabam. And for you, sir?" Jamie wrote down their orders then turned to the blonde, whom still could not speak. Draco just gestured to Hermione. Jamie nodded. "Alright. Then that's three Vaccam Cibum cum Viridi Fabam."
She left them. Draco watched her leave. Then, he looked to Hermione whom had a puzzled expression on her face. He averted his gaze to his wine, which he still had yet to taste. He picked up the wine glass and swirled the white wine in it expertedly. Draco just set it back on the table though in dismay. He couldn't open his mouth. How was he suppose to judge the wine now?
Hermione released a hum, as if slowly the pieces were falling into place. She looked to Potter before asking Draco, "So, Draco, do you have anyone special in your life?"
The blonde looked to her and almost glared before masking himself. They didn't know. He sighed inwardly and just shook his head no. Hermione nodded and said, "How's your mother then? Is she any better?"
Potter and Hermione gave Draco their attention. But he still couldn't speak. His jaw wouldn't unlatch itself. Getting an idea, he pulled out his wand, causing Potter to tense. Rolling his silver eyes, Draco use wordless magic to create letters and wrote his answer in the air.
She's dead. She died of a broken heart.
Hermione and Potter read the words, and then the flaming letters vanished with a wave of Draco's wand. Hermione looked back, if a bit sad, at the blonde and asked, "Why did you reply with magic? Why didn't you just tell us aloud?"
Draco waved his wand and more letters floated in the air.
Because I can't.
"You can't? Can't what? Speak?" Potter asked, adjusting his glasses as he lent forward a bit, his curiosity showing brightly in his eyes. Nearly rolling his eyes, Draco nodded. Potter's forehead crinkled a bit as his brows came together in confusion. "Why?"
Draco touched his throat before waving his wand and letting more letters of flames speak for him.
Because I was told to 'shut it' by Potter, dearest.
Draco pocketed his wand and smiled dryly. Hermione's eyes widened, and she whipped her head around to look at Potter. Potter's emerald eyes were just as wide as hers. "What? That's crazy! I just told you to shut it. That's shouldn't cause you to literally be forced to shut up."
The blonde glared at Potter before he took his wand back out to reply.
Be quiet. I don't want anyone else in this bloody restaurant to know.
Hermione pursed her lips. "Maybe we should talk about this somewhere more private after dinner."
Draco nodded curtly and sighed inwardly. Potter blinked. Hermione looked to the blonde and said, "Draco, talk."
Cold magic washed through his jaw, unlocking it. Draco also felt the magic in his throat, coating his vocal cords and forcing him to make conversation. "Alright, Hermione. What do you wish me to say? I could insult Potter, or I could make a snide remark about your frizzy hair, though it looks loads better than how it was back at Hogwarts, or I could tell you all the lies I've ever told or-" Draco forced his hands to cover his yapping mouth, though it still tried to talk through both of his hands.
Sensing a problem, Hermione carefully chose her words. "Draco… speak only if you wish to."
The cold magic released his vocal cords. Draco held his hands over his mouth for a moment longer before he trusted his body to not speak. He took a breath of relief. Picking up his wine glass, he swirled its contents around and then sipped it. The wine here wasn't half bad. Certainly not the best he's had, but not the worst either.
Shortly the food arrived. Potter and Hermione were both careful when they addressed the blonde. Till they discovered why he was forced to obey their commands, they didn't want to risk it.
…)0(…
Potter had suggested they go to his place after dinner, which happened to be 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione had nodded, and Draco didn't have much say in the matter. He just went with it.
Currently, Draco was in the living area. Potter was making tea in the kitchen while Hermione insisted on making biscuits to go with it, leaving the blonde alone.
He wandered around, looking around the room curiously. Draco's eyes were met with a tapestry that covered the entire length of the wall. He saw faces on the fabric. He realized this was a family tree. His silver eyes flashed as he recognized names.
Draco saw his both of his aunt's names, Bellatrix and Andromeda, along with his mother. They were branched under his grandparents, Cygnus and Druella Black. He ran his fingers gently over his mother's face. Draco really missed her. He couldn't believe she was gone.
Draco's eyes trailed down a bit. His silver eyes widened. He was on here too. His name was right there underneath his face. It was a bit unnerving to know that he was on the tapestry. Draco was snapped out of his pondering by a voice calling his name.
"Draco? Come on. We are in the other sitting room. Come join us." Hermione's voice rang in his ears. Draco turned to face her. She offered a smile. He gave a nod and walked toward her. She led him into the other room.
This sitting room was just as dark as the rest of the house, but it seemed less intimidating. Maybe it was because the crystal chandelier was shining brightly. There was a warm fire blazing in fireplace. It made the room feel, for lake of a better word, homelier.
Draco took a seat in an unoccupied lounging chair. It was actually quite comfy, he decided as he curled up into the chair, his feet tucked behind him. Hermione handed him a cup of tea. He took it with a polite nod of thanks. She smiled and sat on the couch with her cup of tea. Potter sat on her other side.
"So, Draco, why don't you tell us how this happened?" Hermione said, looking at the blonde man curiously. Draco looked down at his cup of what seemed to be Earl Grey tea. He sipped it before he replied. "Alright."
Draco looked up to the bushy brunette and began to talk. "Well… I was in returning to Diagon Alley with this black kitten I had found when-"
"Wait. You found a black kitten and… took it in?" Potter asked in disbelief, his eyebrow arched. The blonde glared at him darkly, his eyes murderous. "Yes, Potter." Draco sneered, "I am not heartless, only cruel."
Hermione glared at Potter before looking to Draco. "Continue, Draco, and please ignore Harry."
Draco eyed her before sighing and continuing, "Fine. As I was saying… I had found a black kitten in Muggle London and was returning to Diagon Alley." he paused and looked at Potter as if daring him to interrupt again. Potter was smart. He held his tongue. Draco continued, "I didn't have time to so much as pull out my wand when I was attacked. I barely managed to miss. By the time I got my wand out, he had fired a few dangerous spells at me. I shot some back at him, all missed though…"
Probably because I'm not an Auror… Draco thought bitterly. He took a sip of his tea before continuing, "He shot a spell I had never heard of at me. It hit me. And I fell to my knees."
Hermione interrupted. "What did the spell feel like? Did it hurt? What color was it?"
"The spell was silver in color. The magic felt cold. Yes, it did hurt." Draco replied. He looked up, catching Potter's eye. The blonde looked back to Hermione. "It happened yesterday. But I knew I needed to tell someone."
Hermione nodded. Then, she got an odd look on her face. Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought hard on something. She looked back to Draco and asked, "May I try something Draco?"
The blonde hesitated before nodding. Hermione nodded and said, her voice determined, "I'm going to give you commands, Draco."
"Alright…"
Hermione looked to Potter then back to Draco. "Draco, stand up."
Draco felt the rush of cold magic as it forced him to untuck his legs from behind himself and stand up. Hermione pursed her lips in thought. "Maybe… Maybe I should give a command you would never do in a million years, Draco."
The blonde looked at her curiously. She continued, "Draco, what would you never do in a million years?"
"Um…" Date Potter. Draco instantly thought, but he dare not say that. He set his tea cup down and thought about it. "I wouldn't…" Kiss Potter.
Draco nearly groaned out loud. Why did everything revolve around Potter in his mind?! He couldn't say either of those because she would force him to do them. He looked to Hermione then shrugged.
Hermione got an idea. She said, "Draco, tell me honestly who was the first person you had a crush on?"
Before Draco could even think about it, his mouth was filled with that bone-chilling magic, and he was saying. "Potter."
Draco's eyes widened, and he clasped a hand over his mouth in shock. What?! Draco thought, appalled by the mere thought of it. He had never in his entire life liked this man. He couldn't believe his mouth would tell such lies.
Your mouth wasn't lying. his heart piped in, She had commanded you to tell the truth.
Draco did groan out loud this time. He really needed to shut his heart up someday. Draco glanced at the two other occupants of the room to see their reactions.
Hermione's mouth was in a slight smirk as if she had expected it. But Potter. Oh, Potter. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was agape. He looked like he was in shock. Draco sighed and sat back down.
"Interesting." Hermione said, "It seems this spell is more dangerous then I first assumed. I thought maybe the spell only worked, if in some part of you, you wished to do as the command had demanded. But it seems that's not the case. Because it looks as though you didn't even know Harry had been your first crush."
Draco swallowed thickly and looked at her. "So… what do I do then?"
"I don't know." Hermione pursed her lips, "I'll have to research this. I look up all spells that relate to forcing one to do something they wish not to do and that are silver in color. I'll let you know what I find, Draco."
She turned to Potter. "Harry… I would watch out for him if I were you. You both work in the same department of the Ministry. Watch out for him. It will be very dangerous for him, even with only us knowing of the spell."
Potter nodded. "Alright."
Hermione smiled. "Good. Now, Draco," she turned to face him, looking into his eyes, "Try to stay away from anyone whom you know hates you or wishes you dead. They could accidentally command you to do something horrible."
Draco nodded. "Got it."
"Good."
